Investigation Underway as Funding is Withheld
The United States, United Kingdom, and other Western powers have decided to cut funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) amidst allegations that 12 of its staffers were involved in an attack on Israel in October. The allegations, if proven true, have been deemed as outrageous by officials.
Support for US Decision
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has praised the decision to cut funding, stating that it is an important step in holding UNRWA accountable. Former President Donald Trump had previously pulled funding to the group in 2018, but President Joe Biden resumed funding shortly after taking office and increased the organization’s budget to over $1 billion. Trump had cited stalled peace talks as the reason for pulling funding.
Investigation and Terminations
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has launched an investigation into the allegations and has already terminated nine employees implicated in the attack. He emphasized that any U.N. employee involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution.
Call for Resumed Support
Guterres has called on the nations that ended their funding to the group to resume their support, arguing that the thousands of men and women who work for UNRWA should not be penalized. However, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, has expressed concern that funding may be used for terrorism and has called for a comprehensive investigation into the organization before any further funding is provided.
Congressional Hearing
Michael McCaul, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has requested that the UNRWA commissioner-general appear before the committee to address the matter. McCaul has advocated for cutting funding to UNRWA and hopes to get answers through the upcoming hearing.
Timothy H.J. Nerozzi from Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
